Naples' buses stop as operator runs out of fuel

ROME (Reuters) - Naples residents were left stranded at bus stops across Italy's third biggest city on Wednesday as the public transport operator, hit by government spending cuts, ran out of fuel.

"Due to a lack of fuel our services are not guaranteed," transport operator ANM announced on its website and at bus stops around the city, enraging commuters.

"Can someone tell me if the C27 is going to show up? I have to get into the center," Luana Pisano wrote on ANM's Facebook page. Several residents demanded a refund for their season tickets.

ANM said it hoped its services would be back to normal later on Wednesday. Italian newspapers reported that fuel companies had cut supplies to the transport operator because it owed them too much money.

ANM said it was a victim of cuts to local authority funding in a government austerity program aimed at shoring up Italy's public finances, which has also included an increase in fuel taxes.

Naples, a popular tourist destination due to its art, history and proximity to Pompeii and the Amalfi coast is also renowned for its chronic problems of poverty, organized crime and ineffective administration, illustrated by a spectacular failure in recent years to deal with garbage disposal.